Officials of Lookout Mountain, Tn., said Tuesday night they have been receiving complaints from citizens about houses in their neighborhoods that are being used for short term rentals. Lookout Mountain, Ga., has had the same issues and has already passed a zoning change to prevent the practice.
Lookout Mountain, Tn.’s current ordinance does not address this new phenomenon which is evolving because of the Internet.
In a search, around a half dozen houses in the town were found to being offering rentals of one day to one week. The town is zoned for only single-family residences. This means that a house is intended as an abode for a single family unit, said City Attorney Brian Smith.
Two residents of Fairy Trail came to the commission meeting to see what the commissioners could do to help with homes on their street that are being treated as vacation rentals. In a single-family residential community, one concern is for security and stability. Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said this is not a resort area where the practice is common, and that safety is a big issue. “It’s not many houses,” added Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones, “but when it’s next to you, it’s a problem.”
The other commissioners agreed and voted to address the issue by having Attorney Smith amend the present zoning ordinance to ban rentals of less than 30 days. It must first go to the Hamilton County Planning Commission for approval before coming back to the commissioners for two readings and two votes on the changes.
With the amount of state sales tax now known, Town Consultant Dwight Montague completed the yearly financial report and presented it to the commissioners. The amount of Hall Tax for the year that was received in July is $601,714 which is 10 percent above what was received in 2015. Additionally, due to Mr. Montague’s persistence, said Mayor Carol Mutter, the town also got an additional $36,934 from the tax that had previously been mis-allocated to other cities. Other receipts for fiscal year 2016 include $75,000 in building permits that is almost doubled from the previous year, an increase in auto decals and $73,400 from the parking meters. It’s a boom-time for tourism here, said Mr. Montague. The budget for fiscal year 2017, which increases property taxes by five percent in preparation for the reduction of the Hall Tax next year, was passed on the second and final vote. The property tax rate is now set at $1.83 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Even though Lookout Mountain School is on summer vacation, there is a lot going on there, said Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett. During the summer, new teachers have been hired to replace ones that left. Ashleigh Cain will be the new second grade teacher, Tammy Johnson, the new fourth grade teacher and Dr. Will Casada will be the music teacher. Bryan Mann will move to the fifth grade and Principal Ruth White is in process of hiring a replacement for Mr. Mann’s former position in third grade. Karen Leavengood is the new PTA president.
Thanks were given to Lee Cook who was in charge of the summer library program that concluded last week, and Camp Invention, which was very successful with 30 attendees. Final touches are being put on the greenhouse, and another step of security has been added to LMS. Security cameras have been added both in and outside of the school.
The upcoming schedule for the new school year during August begins on the fourth when teachers and staff will return. The PTA will host a welcome breakfast that morning at 9:30. Registration is on the eighth in the gym and the first day of school is the 11th. PTA orientation is Aug. 16 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. and the PTA general membership meeting and parent orientation will be in the auditorium at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 23.
The public works department has had a crew out to clear the roads of high vegetation to help trucks navigate, causing brush pick-up to be slower than usual, said Commissioner Jones. The department is also making repairs to large potholes and cleaning drains in preparation for rain. The dumpster is scheduled to be back on the mountain Aug. 6.
Statistics for the month from the fire and police departments were compiled by Chief Randy Bowden and presented to the commissioners by Commissioner Bentley. During June the police had 61 calls, patrolled 2,553 miles and answered 21 false burglar alarms. Response was made to13 assist citizen calls and 15 calls to 911. There were 11 traffic stops made during the month and no auto accidents, thefts or burglaries. Nine medical calls were handled by the department as well as two medical calls to assist Georgia. There were five false fire alarms. These numbers are pretty astonishing, said the commissioner, giving thanks to the fire and police employees.
Chief Bowden would like for the residents of the town to know how much the fire and police departments are glad to be part of the Lookout Mountain, Tn., community. He thanked the residents for their interest in what the department does as opposed to problems that have recently occurred in other areas of the country with law enforcement. He said that meals have been provided for all employees of city hall and other food and desserts have been brought in. The officers really appreciate it, he said.
Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brook Pippenger said Commons Camp was successful this year with more kids participating than last year. The Lookout Mountain baseball All-Stars ages 9-10 participated in playoffs in Rockwood, Tn., and the 11-12 age team played in Loretto, Tn. Both teams had a good showing, she said. The dog park that was considered at the last commission meeting has been tabled for now. Dr. Chris Keller felt like it was a horrible idea because of the number of patients he has seen as a result of fights in dog parks, said the commissioner. Jimmy Stewart, director of Dade Animal Rescue Team (DART) who was also consulted, said that another veterinarian he talked to expressed the same concern.
Mayor Mutter, on behalf of the commissioners, expressed sorrow at the loss of longtime Lookout Mountain resident Allen Brown, who died very unexpectedly last Saturday. She also recognized Drew Viscomi, for being named an All-American in soccer. He has committed to play at Northwestern University after graduating from McCallie, she said. The mayor also would like for all drivers on the mountain to slow down to assure the safety of children and walkers that are out in large numbers especially during the summer.
This commission has done a great job, said Mayor Mutter; it has been a good group that works together well. All five of the commissioners are running for re-election with no opposition. Flossie Weill, town judge, is also up for retention. Three positions on the school board will also be on the primary election ballot on Aug. 4. Mayor Mutter urged all residents of the town to vote. The election will take place at the Jane Harris Youth Building of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.